Monster Commute – a Traffic Novel

So, many of you know what the term “Steampunk” means.

Well, maybe you do, and maybe you don’t, so here’s a quick definition.

Steampunk:
An imaginary Victorian age, that features brass and copper clockwork and steampowered inventions that go far beyond 1800′s technology. Steam powered mechanical wonders, optimistic gear driven computers, dirigibles, clockwork firsts, and stuff like that. (But don’t forget the goggles.)

Well, something like that, anyway. Think Jules Verne.

But, I keep hearing other new steampunky terms, too.

Dieselpunk:
Wikipedia says: “Dieselpunk is an alternate-history environment in which the most important aspect of society is diesel fuel, and the machinery that depends upon it.”

Others say that it’s an age just past the steampunk one, where autos have replaced steamengines, steel replaced brass, through a noir / dystopian filter.

Oilpunk / Petrolpunk / Petropunk:
An idealized version of today’s oil-based society. One ruled by gas, not steam.

MonsterPunk:
Mechanical and steampunk elements mixed together in a mythological monster world.

SteamPulp:
Some prefer this term to “steampunk” since it more accurately describes the setting, and seems more in character. The “pulp” refers to the pulp adventure novels and magazines of yesteryear.

Monster Commute is certainly a mix of Steampunk and other elements. “Monsterpunk” or “Dieselpunk” probably best describe it.

What are some other “steampunk” names or terms you’ve heard out there?

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Jon Andronsky suggests these two on Twitter:

Sailpunk:
Like in the animated film Treasure Planet, where advanced technologies conform to an older nautical aesthetic.

Clockpunk
Primarily a design aesthetic whereby steam power is eliminated completely in favor of hyper-complex clockworks.

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